IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 associate with the cell binding domain (CBD) of fibronectin

We have used Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) - based biosensor technology to investigate the interaction of the six high affinity insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP 1-6) with the cell binding domain (CBD) of fibronectin. Using a biotinylated derivative of the ninth and tenth TypeIII domains of FN (9-10FNIII), we show that IGFBP-3 and -5 bind to FN-CBD. We show that this binding is inhibited by IGF-I and that, for IGFBP-5, binding occurs through the C-terminal heparin binding domain of the protein. Using site-directed mutagenesis of 9-10FNIII, we show both the 'synergy' and RGD sites within these FN domains are required for maximum binding of both IGFBPs. We discuss the possible biological consequences of our results.